The NSW Government approved exploration for coal seam gas 500m from the World Heritage Wollemi National Park at Putty. The Australian 'gas rush' for export needs to be reconsidered taking into account the impacts on the environment, people’s health, livelihoods and plans for the future.

Friday, 22 June 2012

Public servants gagged

Putty Creek in flood February 2012

In
late May I had a dream that I was in a library looking up something to do with
coal seam gas and someone approached me to join a meeting. Over 60 people were
at the meeting and they were all anti CSG campaigners who worked in the public
service and had been told they would lose their jobs if they continued
campaigning against it, or they were people without permanent Australian
residency and were threatened with deportation.

It
was a very vivid dream and at the time I decided it came from my frustration
with people who either worked or were consultants in the public service, who
were against CSG but would not actively protest because of possible
repercussions.

Since
then I read an article in the Sydney Morning Herald about job losses at the NSW
Office of Water despite the federal government’s promise of more funding for
infrastructure projects.One can only
assume that by reducing staff in this office at this time when so much
development is happening that affects our water, it will allow them to keep and
employ only pro development staff or those that do not voice an opinion for
fear of losing their jobs.

Jobs to go at Office of
Water despite $500m funds boost

Louise
Schwartzkoff – Sydney Morning Herald

June
11, 2012.

THE
state government plans to cut jobs at its water management body, in spite of a
federal government promise to pump millions into major water infrastructure
projects across NSW.

Last
week the NSW Office of Water told staff it would cut 50 jobs. The Public
Service Association of NSW believes staff at risk include scientists, planners
and policy experts. The announcement follows a round of 17 voluntary
redundancies in March.

''They
are getting rid of hands-on, on-the-ground people who are responsible for
managing programs and working with communities,'' said the assistant general
secretary of the PSA, Steve Turner. ''There is a failure to recognise that
there are a lot of important frontline workers that aren't necessarily police,
nurses or teachers.''

Mr
Turner said some of those targeted were specialist staff responsible for
implementing the Murray-Darling Basin plan.